Independent Mediamaker
Research Director, The Pluralism Project, Harvard University
Elinor (Ellie) Pierce is a researcher, writer, filmmaker, and digital humanist with a special focus on place-based stories. Her most recent film, Abraham’s Bridge, documents an innovative interfaith project on 38 acres in West Omaha. Ellie is the author of Pluralism in Practice (Orbis, 2023); she co-edited With the Best of Intentions (Orbis, 2023) and Pilgrimage, Place, and Pluralism (Monkfish/Red Elixir, 2024) and has written a wide range of decision-based cases, chapters, and articles. In her role as research director of The Pluralism Project at Harvard University, Ellie helps develop award-winning multimedia on religious diversity and interfaith engagement. In recent years, her interests have expanded to include the encounter with the natural world: whether profiling an organic donation garden in Nebraska, writing a case study on a Hindu environmental activist in New York, or creating short video pieces on the Charles River, she seeks to connect humanistic storytelling with civic purpose.
With MISI, Ellie is developing a collaborative storytelling project on the Charles River, taking a multisensory, multivocal, and multimodal approach. It will be informed by local efforts, from the pioneering environmental justice work of the Charles River Watershed Association to creative projects such as A Charles River Journey. Ellie will explore diverse storytelling methods to deepen engagement with—and cultivate care for—the river. Ideas, stories, and comments may be sent to dearcharlesriver@gmail.com.